Stephen a



(No Model.)

S. A. KEM 8?; B, FREDERICK.

PHOTOGRAPHIG WASHING APPARATUS. No. 503,144. Patented Aug. 15, 1893.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN A. KEM AND EDWVARD FREDERICK, OF PUROELL, INDIAN TERRITORY.

PHOTOGRAPHIC WASHING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 503,144, dated August 15, 1893. Application filed May 23. 1893. Serial No. 475,259. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, STEPHEN A. REM and JDWARD FREDERICK, citizens of the United States, residing at Purcell, in the Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for WVashing, Toning, and Fixing Photograph- Prints, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of our improved apparatus for treating photograph prints; Fig.2, a top view showing the two receptacles; Fig. 3, a perspective view of the upper side of one of the perforated racks; Fig. 4t,a perspective view of the inner receptacle of the device and Fig. 5, a detail showing the serpentine slot in the inner wall of the outer receptacle.

Our invention relates to improvements in apparatus for washing, toning and fixing photograph prints and its object is to provide a novel, inexpensive and reliable device whereby the various processes may be eifected with out handling the pictures separately and subjecting them in succession, to all the different solutions, thereby exposing them to contact with each other or with other objects which would prevent uniform action in the washing and toning process and result in defacement of the pictures.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 designates the outer vessel or receptacle which is preferably made of hard rubber, the bottom, ends and sides being closely fitted to prevent leakage. ater from a suitable reservoir, is admitted through a stop-cock 2 and the overflow escapes through a water spout 3. A vertical serpentine slot 4 is formed in the inner sides of this vessel, the object of which will be hereinafter explained. The inner vessel 5 is also made of hard rubber. The bottom is perforated. The ends have vertical openings to permit free circulation of the solutions, and slide in dove-tail grooves in order that they may be removed when desired.

The print racks 6 are provided with numerous perforations and are preferably made of hard rubber. They are supported in series, one above the other, by upwardly turned flanges 7.

It is understood that the apparatus may be made of any required dimensions. 011 the score of economy, it would be desirable to construct it on a scale that would accommodate prints of the largest size. Any desired number of the racks may be subdivided by partitions 8 as shown in Fig. 3. Sections of the partitions should be cutaway in order to permit free movement of the liquids. By this means, a single rack may be utilized for a number of small prints. A transverse bar 9 unites the sides of the inner vessel and forms a fulcrum for a lever 10. Studs 11 are attached to the outer sides of this vessel and engage the serpentine slots in the adjoining sides of the outer vessel. It will be observed that when the lever is operated, the inner receptacle will have a vibrating movement which will agitate the solution and insure a uniform action upon the prints.

The various advantages of the device will be readily perceived. The processes which have hitherto required hours of time may be completed in a few minutes. Grades of paper which have been discarded on account of their tendency to curl, may be used without inconvenience. The spotting and crocking of the paper caused by frequent handling are entirely obviated.

hat we claim as new is- In an apparatus for washing, toning and fixing photograph prints, the combination with the herein described tank or receptacle having inlet and outlet openings, of an interior receptacle provided with a series of removable perforated racks or shelves forming cells whereby the prints are separately and simultaneously exposed to the action of the washing and toning solutions, and means as described for imparting a vibratory movement to the inner receptacle and the racks, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing we have hereunto set our hands, this 15th day of May, 1893, in the presence of witnesses.

STEPHEN A. KEM. EDYVARD FREDERICK. WVitnesses:

J L. NoLAND, G. W. BROWN. 

